The lineup for the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League group stage is now complete. The official draw, conducted Monday in Johannesburg, confirmed a highly competitive field.
This season promises one of the most competitive group stages in the competition’s history, featuring seven former African champions and the current title-holders.
Group A Headlines with Marquee Rematch
Group A immediately grabbed attention with a highly anticipated reunion. Pyramids FC of Egypt, the reigning champions, will renew their rivalry with Moroccan giants RS Berkane, last season’s CAF Confederation Cup winner.
This clash follows their recent CAF Super Cup final, which was won by Pyramids FC with a 1-0 scoreline.
Joining this marquee reunion are Nigeria’s Rivers United and Zambia’s Power Dynamos. This pool is anticipated to be fiercely contested, brimming with continental pedigree, quality, and ambition.
A Breakdown of the Continental Heavyweights
The draw separated the remaining heavyweights into three equally compelling pools:
- Group B: Record 12-time winners Al Ahly of Egypt anchor this pool. They face a historically rich lineup including Tanzania’s Young Africans, Moroccan champions AS FAR, and two-time African champions JS Kabylie (Algeria). This group is steeped in history and rivalry.
- Group C: This group pits perennial contenders Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa against formidable rivals. They will compete with Sudan’s Al Hilal, Algeria’s MC Alger, and DR Congo’s St Éloi Lupopo. All these clubs boast rich pedigrees and passionate fan bases.
- Group D: Four-time winners Espérance de Tunis headline this section. They are joined by Simba SC (Tanzania), Petro de Luanda (Angola), and Stade Malien (Mali). This setup guarantees another series of heavyweight duels across the continent.
Match Schedule and Prize Money
The Group Stage competition is scheduled to commence on the weekend of November 21 to November 23. Two matchdays will be played before the competition enters a pause for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
The competition will then resume on the weekend of January 23 to January 25, 2026. The crucial knockout phase is scheduled to begin on March 13, 2026.
The overall prize money pool is substantial: The winners of the 2025/2026 CAF Champions League will be awarded $4 million, while the runners-up will earn $2 million.
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